R9 technology Sn400 User manual

User Guide

SN400 Sensor Node Hardware User Guide

January 2021

Release 1.7

R9 Technology

17217 Waterview Parkway Suite 1.202Y

Dallas, TX 75252

www.r9technology.com

User Guide

Document Revisions

Date Version

Number Document Changes

09/28/2010 R1.4 Edit to pair button led flash info, other minor edits

01/11/2021 R1.5 Change DC adapter voltage to 3.0V, other minor edits.

01/21/2021 R1.6 Updated battery information

03/26/2021 R1.7 Updated battery information

User Guide

Table of Contents

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................ 4

2 SN400 Product Label ............................................................................................................................................... 5

3 Wireless Operating Band (Antenna) ................................................................................................................. 7

4 Power ............................................................................................................................................................................. 7

5 Indicators and Buttons ........................................................................................................................................... 9

6 Physical Dimensions ............................................................................................................................................. 11

7 Installation ................................................................................................................................................................ 11

8 Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................................................................... 13

9 Sales and Warranty Policy ................................................................................................................................. 13

6 Specifications ........................................................................................................................................................... 14

7 Certifications - United States FCC Statement ............................................................................................. 15

1 Introduction

This User Guide covers specific hardware features of R9 Technologies model SN400 sensor

node. Several SN400 devices can accumulate electronic sensor data, and then wirelessly

transmit this sensor information to a single gateway device (wireless sensor network).

The gateway device will then use an LTE wireless data link to transfer this sensor data to

a database located on an internet-based server. The database can be used by customers

to view and analyze the gathered sensor information. Because the SN400 node has much

lower cost, complexity, and power requirement than the gateway device, the overall

system cost and flexibility is optimized.

The SN400 device’s position in the overall network can be seen in the diagram below.

The SN400 “Piconode” device is at the far-right end of the network diagram. It gathers

sensor information using wired sensors, which will, ultimately, be viewed and analyzed

on a user’s personal computer or smart device using a web-browser. Alerts which are

received via SMS text can also be implemented using the R9 web-based system.

The SN400 sensor node has four ports, each port can support one cabled sensor (for

example, temperature, humidity, door closure, tank liquid level, light level). It is also

possible to support multiple data types on one port, for example temperature and

humidity can be read from the same cabled sensor. Cabled sensors are plugged into the

SN400 using a three-pin connector. The connector is keyed, so the sensors cannot be

installed using the wrong orientation. Typically, each SN400 sensor port is provisioned

at the factory for a specific sensor type (analog, digital, specific communication format).

Therefore, specific sensors will need to be plugged into specific port numbers. The

SN400 Installation Guide and R9 Online Portal User Guide contains information on

specific sensors and associated port numbers. Also, when onboarding your system on

the R9 web portal, you will be guided through the process of inserting wired sensors into

the SN400. The onboarding process is customized for specific sensing applications.

The sensor node device is typically mounted to equipment, and then cabled sensors are

applied to specific areas for sensing. For example, a node device is attached externally to

a refrigerator, and then a cabled temperature sensor is routed inside the refrigerator to

measure temperature.

For simple installations, the SN400 node can be installed inside a room, or

refrigerator/freezer, without cabling for the measurement of temperature. If installed

inside a refrigerator/freezer, wireless range may be diminished (typically by one third to

one half), but should be adequate for connection to a nearby gateway device.

The SN400 sensor node requires an external DC power source, or two AAA alkaline

batteries to operate. The sensor node does not have a power switch. When power is

applied by DC jack or insertion of batteries, the device will power on and automatically

begin to broadcast information to allow synchronization with, and connection to a nearby

gateway that is also powered on. Note that in order to pair with (connect to) a gateway

device, all sensor node devices should be setup first, using the online R9 portal. Refer to

the R9 Online Portal User Guide for information on how to onboard and configure the

gateway and sensor nodes in your monitoring system.

2 SN400 Product Label

The SN400 product label located on the side of the device will indicate several important

features of the device.

1. The MAC ID, circled in red, in the picture below is unique to a specific SN400 device.

The last 5 digits of the MAC ID will be entered into the online portal system during

setup, and is used to identify the SN400 in the system. The last 5 digits of the serial

number is also entered.

2. The complete model number of the SN400 device indicates the specific

configuration of a particular device variant. For example, sensor port configuration,

wireless bands of operation, enclosure color, etc.

A typical model number is SN400-D1AAA. This part number indicates:

 D1 – port configuration: Port 1 and 2 are set up for digital pulse counting, Port 3

is digital one wire, Port 4 is digital input.

 A(1) - Antenna: Internal 915 MHz. ISM band antenna is provisioned and

selected.

 A(2) - Power: Powered by internal AAA batteries.

 A(3) - Enclosure: Indoor plastic case, color black.

In plain terms, the specific model/part number SN400-D1AAA has the following sensor

port configuration:

 Port 1: temperature sensor (digital pulse count)

 Port 2: temperature sensor (digital pulse count)

 Port 3: dual sensor, humidity and temperature (bi-directional digital one wire)

 Port 4: Door Ajar (digital input by switch open/close)

Consult the factory for more information on available SN400 model number variants.

3 Wireless Operating Band (Antenna)

The SN400 will use only the 915 MHz. ISM band (United States) to wirelessly connect

to, and transmit/receive data from the gateway device. The frequency range of operation

is 902 MHz. to 928 MHz. The SN400 uses a frequency hopping algorithm to minimize

generated noise and improve immunity from external RF interference. An 868 MHz.

ISM band (European) version of the SN400 is also available (SN401).

The SN400 915 MHz. antenna is PCB mounted and located internally to the enclosure.

Note that it is possible to connect an external antenna to the SN400 device. This is

supported only as an option, and should not be necessary in a typical application.

4 Power

The SN400 sensor node requires an external DC power source, or two AAA alkaline

batteries to operate. Typical installations will always use batteries for power. When

power is applied by DC jack or insertion of batteries, the device will power on and

automatically begin to broadcast information to allow synchronization with, and

connection to a nearby gateway that is also powered on. Note that in order to pair with

(connect to) a gateway device, a sensor node device must have been configured

previously in the online R9 portal. Refer to the R9 Online Portal User Guide for

information on how to onboard and configure the gateway and sensor nodes in your

monitoring system.

The sensor node does not have a power switch. Remove the battery compartment lid

located on the rear of the SN400 and install 2 AAA batteries in the correct orientation

(marked on battery holder) and replace lid. To open the battery lid, pull the small tab

toward the door, and lift at the same time (using your finger nail or small screw driver).

DC Power Supply: when using a DC power adapter, sensor values will not update if wall

power is interrupted. For this reason, it is not recommended to use a DC wall adapter,

unless absolutely necessary. Contact R9 Technology to purchase a DC wall adapter.

 The power supply is +3.0V, center pin positive. The DC power supply can be

inserted into the sensor node without removing batteries.

 The DC power supply must be plugged into a 120V 60Hz. AC wall outlet if

operating in the United States. The DC Jack output is then plugged into the

power input port on the SN400.

 An optional 220V AC, 50 Hz supply will be required in most parts of Europe

or Asia.

Batteries:

 The sensor node can be powered from 2 AAA alkaline batteries. The

expected battery life will vary for each specific application. Average battery

life-span is approximately 2 years for the “Safezone” application (two

temperature probes and 15-minute reporting interval).

 Batteries are not supplied with the sensor node, and should be inserted by

the customer at the time of SN400 installation. If the sensor node device is

not to be used for a long period of time, the batteries should be removed to

prevent their depletion.

o AAA alkaline batteries are recommended (can be purchased from

drug store, shopping center, etc.). AAA alkaline cells provide the

best value in terms of cost and battery longevity, at room

temperature conditions. Alkaline batteries are ok for use inside a

refrigerator (temperatures down to about 35F), although the

longevity will likely be reduced.

o Lithium AAA batteries: Lithium batteries should be used in

extreme cold environments (sensor node located inside a freezer

with temperature below 0F or -18C). Alkaline batteries do not

operate optimally at temperatures below 0F or -18C. Lithium

chemistry batteries operate at temperatures down to approximately

-40F = -40C. It is best to use Lithium batteries in freezer

environments (temperatures below 32F). Do not confuse Lithium

AAA cells with Lithium polymer rechargeable batteries.

o Rechargeable AAA batteries: recently, several types of AAA

equivalent rechargeable batteries have become commonly available.

NiMH (nickel metal hydride) AAA rechargeable cells have been

tested with the sensor node. NiMH cells have significant self-

discharge, and will lose 5%-20% of their charge per month.

Although rechargeable cells function, they are not recommended as

they require more frequent re-charging as compared to alkaline

cells.

5 Indicators and Buttons

1. Reset Button (R) – Momentary “quick” press resets the SN400 to power-on

condition (initialize). The LED will quickly flicker red/green during power-on, or

when reset button is pressed.

2. Pair Button (P) – Momentary “quick” press will use the LED to indicate paired status

of the Node (to Gateway). See table on next page for pair button operation.

3. Power Input Port – Utilized for input of external DC power (3.3V) using DC jack.

External power supply sold separately.

4. Sensor Ports – Utilized to connect external, wired sensor probes.

5. Pair/Reset LED – Indicates SN400 network paired status, as well as reset or power-

up status. See table on next page.

The SN400 uses a red/green bi-color LED indicator to communicate the status of the sensor

node. To save battery power, the SN400 sensor node will briefly illuminate the LED. To

query the paired status of the SN400 without interrupting operation, a “quick” press of the

pairing button (P) will indicate the network pairing status (to gateway) using the LED

indicator. Long pressing the pairing button will cause the SN400 to clear its paired status to

a gateway, and it will start broadcasting to initiate a new connection to a nearby gateway.

Pushing reset does not clear the pairing memory or status. Pushing reset will cause the

SN400 to initialize to a power on state. The tables below cover detailed operation of the

pairing (P) and reset (R) buttons, as well as the LED indication.

SN400 LED indication

power on

and

reset button

quick

press

Color

Blink

Count

Description

Red/Green

ast 6

The SN400 LED

will

illuminate

with a quick flicker

of both red and green colors on the LED. The

SN400 sensor node is initialized, but the gateway

pairing information is not erased. A small

screwdriver will aid in pushing the tiny button.

SN400 LED indication

pairing button

QUICK

press

Color

Blink

Count

Description

Red

quick 3

Indicates SN400 is on, and

IS NOT

paired

to a

gateway sensor network. The SN400 will

continuously broadcast to try and locate a

gateway to pair to. A gateway will not pair to a

node unless it is provisioned to do so in the

online portal.

Green

quick 3

Indicates SN400 is on, and

paired

to a gateway

sensor network, as provisioned in the online

portal. Note that “paired” indicates the node

pairing memory is set with gateway information.

“paired” does not indicate the node is currently

communicating with a gateway (communication

happens infrequently based on sample interval,

typically 15 minutes).

400 LED indication

pairing button LONG press

Color

Blink

Count

Description

Red

/Green

ast 6

Erase the gateway pairing memory. Depress the

pairing button for a count of five seconds and

then release. The LED will quickly flash

red/green six times to indicate that the gateway

pairing information has been erased. The SN400

will begin broadcasting to find a nearby gateway

to pair to. A small screwdriver will aid in pushing

the tiny button.

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